Wise Counsel
OPENING PRAYER:
Spirit, soften my heart to hear what you have to say to it today.
Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” Exodus 18:17-18
REFLECT:
As we study scripture through the lens that we are not on this journey alone, we see regular examples of those we admire and reference receiving wise counsel from others.
Moses was one of those people. We often think of “wise, old Moses” – but here in Exodus, we see a glimpse of a timely, wise reminder from his father-in-law. Jethro calls out Moses, telling him that he will get burned out if tries to handle everything on his own. Jethro saw that Moses was trying to shoulder all of the responsibility himself and he knew that he was going to burn out, along with everyone around him, if he kept it up.
APPLY:
We all need a Jethro in our life. Someone that can look at our life from a higher level and call us out when we are trying to carry our burden alone…someone who will point us back to the true source of our strength. Identify those in your life that can speak truth and wisdom to help set a steady foundation for your path.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Spirit, open my heart and ears to be willing to take in wise counsel when I meet it. Help those speaking truth to say what my soul needs to hear today.